Kenya’s cross-border trade with Tanzania is on unprecedented upward trajectory as the economy rebounds from the devastating effects of Covid-19 pandemic with latest economic data between the two East Africa’s nations showing trade volumes in excess of Sh40 billion for the year 2021.
The East Africa Business Council (EABC) disclosed that from January to November of 2021, Kenya exported goods worth Sh40 billion to Tanzania.
During the same period, the country imported goods valued at Sh50 billion from Tanzania. This is the highest traded value of goods and services between the two countries since 2018.
The Chief Executive Officer of EABC Mr. John Bosco Kalisa said the value of trade between the two counties indicated laudable resilience of the economies. This was supported by strengthened ties amongst traders in the two countries.
Kalisa noted that such a growth was enabled through commitment to make work the instruments governing the East Africa trade protocol.
“The volumes and values traded is an indicator of the true resilience of the business environment between the two countries,” he said.
The CEO was speaking on Saturday during a trade facilitation forum at the Holili One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Tanzania.
The Principal Secretary (PS) for Kenya’s Ministry of East Africa Community (EAC) Dr. Kevin Desait chaired the forum.
Stakeholders in the regional and cross-border trade present included customs officials from both countries, clearing and forwarding agents, large-scale importers and exporters, representatives of Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KePSA) and officials of cross-border women traders from Kenya and Tanzania.
